The legend of George Masa grows

More information about George Masa, Japanese photographer in Asheville, 1915-1933, keeps emerging.  Read more.

Jill McCorkle novel

Short story master's first novel in 17 years is moving, important, compelling.   Read review.

Wayne Caldwell honored

The author of "Cataloochee" and "Requiem of Fire" won a prestigious prize.  See what; consider his work.

Wiley Cash book, interview, talk

Author of "A Land More Kind Than Home," is keynoter at Blue Ridge Bookfest, which features workshops, talks, many authors, May 17-18,  Read interview.  More about Bookfest. 

Grapes of Wrath at ACT

The production of Frank Galati's script inspires a look at and discussion of the humanity of Steinbeck's novel  Read feature.  (Photo by Micah Mackenzie)

Author feature: Betty Cloer Wallace

The 24th of a 25-volume Tuckaseegee pre-Revolution saga is out; read what it portends.

Dale Neal: the book & interview

Read about  Dale Neal's new regionally set novel; and his talk about his roots, style, and sense of history.

"Why civil wars?"--a 1792 question

Read dramatization of Asheville meeting and talk of State of Franklin.

Author feature: MariJo Moore

Read about MariJo's 14th book; and catch up on her active career.

The State v. Our Culture 

Read about what's being planned to cut the humanities and heritage sites.

Pulitzer winning poet re: his dyslexia

at Apr. 3 event

Singing in Lufty Baptist Church

Tipper features, on her website, Blind Pig and the Acorn, her trips to churches in the Great Smokies Park. Hear and see the beautiful singing she brings to one.

Worldwide hive

Read about Keith Flynn's ambitious new book of poems.

1792--Did they meet in a tavern?

Read the story about the men who met to decide where the region's first courthouse was to go.

Ron Rash's new tales

Danny hikes and tells

See about hiker/author Danny Bernstein's latest  book.

Duncan's writing taps a deep local pool

Read about new poetry book and interview. 

Asheville Poetry Review

Read about the new issue, its poems, reviews, essays, and prizes; its feature on Sam Hamill; and a poem by Catherine Carter about how the young need us.

"It was the first photo I found in the Eliada archives, and it ignited the fire that fueled my need to tell the story of this orphanage." 

See the full photo and read Cliff David's story.

Murder at Noland Gap video

See the video of the trip to Noland Gap, where the Haywood County sheriff was murdered in 1862.   Click on photo.  Read story.

Alan Michael Parker@ASU

App State opens its Spring Visiting Writers' Series with poet/fiction writer Alan Michael Parker, Feb. 28.  Image from ASU flyer. See website.

Tales of GPI published; Arts & Crafts show now

National Arts & Crafts Conference--Feb. 22-24.  Bruce Johnson tells great tales in new book.  Read.

Beacon Blankets documentary in progress

Serpent Child, a veteran Black Mountain theater and media production company, is turning the history of the Black Mountain manufacturer and village-builder into a film.  Read more.

Bell's Traditionals trail-blazed 1960s Biltmore Village

Bill Bell, founder of Bell's Traditionals. and Jody Anderson talk about the clothing business that started retail success in the village during its slumbering period. Read story and see video.

Progress made on Nina Simone birthplace in Tryon

Nina Simone, legendary musician and activist, born and raised in Tryon, is subject of much loving attention, including recent home preservation effort.

Blue Ridge Commons wins Wolfe Award

Kathy Newfont's book on forest commons history has won the 2013 Thomas Wolfe Award.

Rob Amberg photos

See photographer Rob Amberg's photos and documentary text on his blog.

How do we name?

Dr. Donna Lillian of ASU, new president of the American Name Society, looks at "Sandy"; "Ms.," "Gangman," "Malaga," and more.  Read article.

Campus read @ ASU

"American Dervish," a coming-of-age story about a Muslim-American boy by Ayad Akhtar, has been selected as Appalachian State University’s summer reading novel for 2013.

Ghost of servant seeks mate

The early residents led a kind of Downton Abbey life, and their servants identified with their houses so much, they hung around a very long time.  Read the story.

Combined best books lists, 2012

See compiled list of best books from many sources, including local suggestions.

Civil War letters

Cliff Davids' Eliada oral history reveals family letters from Union soldier.

How does Asheville ornament?
See the survey article on ornament in Asheville architecture.

Charles Price ventures out

Acclaimed writer of historical fiction set in WNC published a western, story that explores John Wesley Hardin's mind. See review and interview.

2nd Amendment justification calls for history

A movie reenactment of The Battle of Athens (Tenn.) on YouTube has arisen as a justification for armed militias. Read about it and the history of armed citizens in WNC.

Fire in the Ashes by Jonathan Kozol

is his review of 25 years working with and writing about America's poorest children. Read about the prize-winning author's book, and see who voices concerns of the poor in WNC.

Dean Bakopoulus talks on horror

He's one of many writers and WWC MFA instructors doing public readings this coming week. See calendar. See author website.

Paul Reid rounds out Winston

Tryon author Paul Reid completes the late William Manchester's Winston Churchill trilogy.  Reid's at Malaprop's Jan. 5.  Read interview.

Alexander Cameron, Cherokee friend

Read about British agent who kept peace on frontier, and fought with Dragging Canoe; and read about new book.

Great Smokies Writing mag fall issue

See UNCA's Great Smokies Writing Program lit mag. Photo of North Cornwall accompanies editor Elizabeth Luyten's lead piece. Contributors Cathy Vance Agrella, Terry Gess, and LJ Faulkner read from their works at Malaprop's, Oct. 21.

Jewish-Muslim peace

Hendersonville Palestinian Lina Adas has translated Bahia Abrams' novel, The Other Half of My Soul into Arabic.  Read about their lives, missions, and events.

A remarkable memoir: from fundamentalism to free thinking

Virginia Redfield has written an accomplished memoir that looks back at her Depression Era childhood.  Read about it.

Barbara Kingsolver--new novel; local date

She's at UNCA, Nov. 28.  Read interview and more.

Luke Hankins intros

devotional poems by today's poets, included in new book, Dec. 9

See Luke Hankins page to read more

N.C. Lit and History Conference

The Annual Meeting of the N.C. Literary and Historical Association takes place in Asheville on November 15-16.  See about keynote speakers, free public programs

Experts on race, Wolfe, and the Harris incident

"Child by Tiger," the story by Thomas Wolfe based on Will Harris' murderous rampage in 1906, is the focus of a talk on race and Wolfe by Darin Waters and Joanne Mauldin.  Read about story & events.

Russell Banks

Acclaimed novelist Russell Banks speaks at Warren Wilson College, Nov. 17.  Read more.

Memories of old Biltmore Village

After Vanderbilt, before the commercial renaissance, there was a close-knit village of residents and merchants.  Read about it.

David Madden's new novel.

He's at Malaprop's Nov. 10.  Read review and interview.

New books by authors of this region

More books; fewer reviews--how do we support authors of this region?  Susan Snowden publishes Southern Fried Lies; Jack Brody, The Moroni Deception.  Read up and weigh in.

Gary Carden

Award-winner at 2 events.  Read about great honor and appearances.  

Terrell Garren on Cherokees in Civil War

Read leading historian's presentation to NC UDC.

Outcasts United author in area

Warren St. John comes to Mars Hill College, Oct. 15, to talk about his book about the refugees' soccer team in Georgia.  Read review and interview; and about event.

Pretty Polly conveys ancient message

Read how the Pretty Polly ballad and its English antecedent, Lady Isabel and the Elf-Knight had developed a 2,000 year-old story.

Kathryn Stripling Byer, Maya Angelou & John Lawson in Hall of Fame

The N.C. Literary Hall of Fame inducts 3 authors, Oct. 14.  .Read about event; and see list of all inductees.

Major event: Robert Youngdeer

The Museum of the Cherokee issues the memoirs of a notable figure.  Oct. 5book launch in Cherokee.

Read about it.

John Hart brings thriller to Asheville

John Hart, author of The Last Child, sets his new thriller in these mountains, and speaks at UNCA, Oct. 5.  Read about the extreme survival psychology in his novel, Iron House.

(Listen to first chapter.)

O. Henry stamp gets it partly wrong

The USPS issued an O. Henry stamp on Sept. 11, 2012, his 150th birthday anniversary, associating him with New York.  Read about his Tarheel roots and heart.

Terry Roberts goes inside Hot Springs POW camp

Read book review, and see about Sept. 20 and Sept. 29 events.

Katherine Soniat's new book of poems

Author at City Lights event, Sept. 20.  See author website.

Author/teachers

Annette Clapsaddle and Dawn Gilchrist-Young of Swain County reveal novels, Aug. 28.

Two Nobel Prize-winners

Read review of Elie Wiesel's new novel, Hostage; and Toni Morrison's, Home.

Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!

Amy Goodman comes to Asheville and Burnsville to talk about The Silenced Majority, her book of urgent articles.  Read review, and about appearances.

Disastrous floods in WNC

Read the story about 13 disastrous floods in WNC from the 17th to the present century.

Hatfield-McCoy feud--it's personal

Read about Lisa Alther's non-fiction exploration of history, family, and stereotypes

Why the Nikwasi mound is inviolable

Read the story about the Cherokee mound in Franklin, recently sprayed with herbicide by the town.

Ingalls of Banner Elk publishes 4 new titles

Read about Casey's Calbough's novel, and see what else is going on.

12 WNC Notables @ Grateful Steps

Read about Jack Prather's book; Aug. 4 event; and the publisher, Grateful Steps.

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games through the weekend

See website.  See videos.

Send the boy to Thunder

In Cherokee lore, boys were initiated into manhood through ball play in Thunder's field. Read about it.

Nancy Dillingham's Americana Rural, poems & stories. Read about.

New Mitchell County history

The county has engaged Elizabeth Hunter and a committee to produce the 150th anniversary book. Read about it.

Mark de Castrique today at 3

Author of Sam Blackman's Coffin is at Malaprop's, July 7,   for new novel, The 13th Target.   See about event.  See author's promotional video for book..

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

Signs of greatness: read. Book discussion, July 12.

Peggy Millin

Read aboutAsheville author and workshop leader, whose trip to a Virgin Mary site in Medjugorje, Bosnia in 1989 has led to "Mary's Way."

Cherokee prehistory--survey of digs

Read the story; see links.

Nina Simone Legacy grows

Read about the Tryon-born musical and civil rights icon.

Gloria Houston, Ruthie, & essayists

graced Macon County's 5th Annual Literacy Night and Read 2 Me program.  Read about the landmark events and the essay-writing winners.

What if Lincoln lived?

Author David Madden gives talk; exhibit comes to Haywood.  Read more.

Wolfe Award: past & future

Deadline for nominations for WNCHA's annual literary honor is July 15.

See who won 1955-2011.  

George Ellison comes full circle

Read about his new book of poems, with Elizabeth Ellison's artwork.  Ellisons are at Malaprop's July 13.

Wood carving got good things going, 1901

Read aboutEleanor Vance's Boys' Club and Biltmore Industries

The Chautauqua, June 18-21

Scholar-actors bring Carl Jung, Golda Meir, Denmark Vesey, and Winston Churchill to evening shows at A-B Tech.  Read about it.

Carden's Kephart play & WNC playwrights

Read about Outlander, Parkway Playhouse, and the drama scene.

Bruce Johnson branches out in blog

Read Little Journeys; see Arts and Crafts features.

The
 Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group names Indie winners.
 See who.

SIBA 
nominationsfor best Southern books of year

NPR's Summer 2012 Reading List

Los Angeles Times Book Prizes 2012 announced

Luminarium by Alex Shakar for ficion;
 see more.

Regionalisms in 5 volumes

The five-volume set of Dictionary of American Regional English is now complete.
Read about it and see fun & games.

Geraldine Brooks' Caleb's Crossing

Read review..

Graphic novel milestone--editor in town

Read about Graphic Canon, V. 1; and Russel Kick at Malaprop's, June 6.

Dave Turner

See Dave Turner's book, Billy Ray's Chevrolet And Other Writings And Photographs From A Southern Appalachian Valley--namely the Riceville and Bull Creek area--Now on e-book.

Go-to guy Fred Seely made ENKA happen

Read storyabout the way business worked in the 1920s.

1980s movement stopped clearcutting

Read about the popular campaign and about Kathryn Newfont's book,
Blue Ridge Commons,

See about
 Civil War images exhbit at Fontana Library

Who won IPPY Awards? See here.

Wiley Cash, UNCA grad, presents debut novel

He's at City Lights, 7 p.m.,
May 18; Malaprop's, 4 p.m.,
May 19.
Read review.

Interview with Elizabeth Kostova.

See aboutMay 18 author show and Blue Riudge Bookfest..

Liar's Bench, May 17, 7 p.m., WCU, features tribute to Cherokee chief

Read more
.

Kathryn Stripling Byer enters NC Literary Hall of Fame

along with Maya Angelou and John Lawson. Read
NC Arts news.

Jargon Society, landmark publisher, now part of Black Mountain College museum.

Julia Alvarez's memoir of empathy

Read aboutAlgonquin Books author's novel-like account of getting to know Hispaniola's underclass.

27 Views of Asheville book of authors

Godwin, Frazier, McCrumb, Caldwell and others.
Read more.

Marijo Moore, Carol MacAllister, Scott Owens

Moore's next date is
May 5.

MacAllisterwon YA award.

See author features below for Owens.

Asheville Wordfest May 2 - 6; Hicks family tale-tellers, May 5

See Wordfest websitefor schedule of poets and tellers.

New book includes shocking Asheville tale

Read about the manhuntfor Broadus Miller, an Asheville black man during a period of racial hysteria.

Rash's new novel: The Cove

Read review of dark, poetic masterpiece--and see events schedule. See criticism of NY Timesreview.

What's the true story of Lover's Leap ghost? Read here.

Civil War sterographs from Atlantic

This photo of the Army of the Potomac and many more are on The Atlantic magazine website.

Nancy Dew Taylor wins award

Poet wins NCHC's Linda Flowers Literary Award for "Mill Creek Suite." Read more.

Bancroft Prize winners named

History prize shared this year by Anne Hyde's Empires, Nations and Families: A History of the North American West, 1800-1860; Daniel Rodgers' Age of Fracture; and Tomiko Brown-Nagin's Courage to Dissent: Atlanta and the Long History of the Civil Rights Movement. Read more.

See author Jenny Bennett's novel; & photos

on her member webpage.

Rose McLarney has new book of poems

WNC-raised, award-winning poet and Warren Wilson College teacher publishes The Always Broken Plates of Mountains.   See more.

Nina Simone biographer at Pack

Nadine Cohodas, author of Princess Noire, at Pack Library, Mar. 28. Read more.

Liars Bench presents hangman's tales, Apr. 15

Read more.

Mallory McDuff on environmentalism & churches

See authorof Sacred Acts at All Souls program, Apr. 26.

Naked Came the Leaf Peeper launch

Serial mystery novel set in Asheville with chapters written by 13 local masters launches Mar. 30, UNCA. Read review & learn more.

Death of a Salesman phenomenon

The New York Times kicks off a community discussion of "Death of a Salesman" with online bonuses. See more.

Walter Dean Myers named Children's Lit Ambassador

L of C's Center for Book announces news.

Writers for Friends of Smokies Apr. 5

Read about program.

Best plan for authors? Book fests.

Read Bill Ramsey's opinion piece; join the discussion.

See feature authors at Blue Ridge Bookfest

Protecting the Forest

Kathy Newfont w book about wild commons at Malaprop's Apr. 30.   See about event.

Urgent letter from Scott Turow: Amazon v. publishers

Read the letter.

Nick Flynn, Suck City & Bomb Ticking

Acclaimed author of Another Bullshit Night in Suck City; and The Ticking Is the Bomb, is at WCU, Mar. 22. Read feature.

Ron Rash in author show, Mar. 20; his career seen through his poetry

Read more. He keynotes WCU Spring Fest, Mar. 20.

Local boys fought at Seven Pines

The first battle for Richmond in 1862 took place in a swamp (now the Richmond International Airport).

Read more.

Old Time Music Week

Registration has opened for Mars Hill College’s 21^st annual Blue Ridge Old Time Music Week, June 3 – 9. Read story.

Stephanie Powell Watts debut story collection

Author from Lenoir presents stories of area's poor. Read about it.

Best of the Year: Kirkus' top fiction; PW's top ten; Amazon's top 20; NY Times top illustrated children's books

Eugenides, Patchett--who else?

Balsam Chronicles show by Carden

Gary Carden begins his telling of "Balsam Chronicles" in Mountain Heritage Center, WCU, Mar. 15, beginning with "Cashiers." Read about event.

Go to Carden's page.

ASU picks Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer for Fall 2012 freshman read

Keith Flynn recommends books and salutes James Dickey on his active blog  

Author Bruce Wheeler talks about history of Knoxville--see video  

Jim Casada is turkey-hunting legend; see limited edition

Today's woman artists

Eleanor Heartney, noted art historian at WCU, Mar. 5; Black Mtn College Museum + Art Ctr, Mar. 6. More.

John Inscoe, history scholar

Author of many books gives key talk, Mar. 24. Read about event. See U. of Ga. article.

Karen Russell's imagination

The 30-year-old author's second book, a novel sensation titled Swamplandia!,is the focus of a program.  Read review.

Sandra Cisneros in Asheville

Author of The House on Mango Street and Caramelo; and advocate for oppressed voices is at UNCA, Mar. 2.  Read the story& learn more.

Firestorm--top 10 cool cafe pick, says Zagat         

Carrie Wagner's bridge to Uganda

Carrie continues her global citizenship work with a photo show & a performance by Kinobe, top Ugandan musician, Mar. 1, A-B Tech.  Event cancelled; photos still on show.  Read about Global Citizenship.

Forrest Jarrett stories

Read about the railroad pistol-toter from Madison County.

Review of Hopping stories

Read about Michael Hopping's masterful debut story collection, MacTiernan's Bottle.  Read Bill Branyon's review.  See Hopping's member page.

Tipper's new book

Blind Pig & Acorn creator publishes Appalachia through  My Eyes.

25th Arts & Crafts conference, Feb. 17-19

See week of events.  Read story: Who designed the GPI?

Lisa Alther serves up 6th novel

Alther, author of Kinflicks, reads from her new novel, Washed in the Blood, at Malaprop's, Feb. 24.  Read about it.

Natasha Trethewey in town

At UNCA, Feb. 23--read more.  See poet's website.

YA Authors write about , local school focus on bullying

Read the story.

State legislature push to control Asheville's water

1st public hearing , Raleigh, Jan. 23--televised (click NCLeg.Net at 2 p.m.).   Hearing in Asheville, late February.  Learn more at Save Asheville's Water.  See Citizen-Times article.

New poem by Julia Nunnally Duncan

Read "The Woods Watched Us" on WNC Woman.

David Madden's novel-writing workshop

Read aboutauthor's 1-week retreat, Feb. 20-25; and about his advice on revising fiction.

See video: A Madden fave--The Waveby Evelyn Scott.

Marijo Moore offers spiritual wisdom

About our time of change: "Not only is there fear coming from the falling of the masculine energies, there is also fear rising as the feminine energies rise."  Read her blog.

News items

Spellbound Children's Bookshop moves to 21 Battery Park, Feb. 1   ||  Asheville Wordfest gets $7G from NCHC   ||   NCWN Creative Non-fiction contest   ||   Read about William Matthews Poetry Prize   ||    Algonquin will publish YA and middle-grade books in 2012.

Julian Barnes wins Booker Prize

with The Sense of an Ending.  Read news.  Read about his works. 

German Book prize

Eugen Ruge won 2011 German Book Prize for his debut novel, In Times of Fading Light. Read more.

Survey of WNC Lit--beginnings to right now

Read all 3 parts.

Eleanor Ross Taylor

Lauded N.C.-born poet has died at age 91.  Thanks to Kay Byer on Asheville Poetry Review page for alerting us.  Read article in Charlotte Observer.

It's here!  A video of  Barbara Bates Smith,

"Ivy Rowe" and other shows.

Rose Senehi's Fairview novel

Read review.  See more new books.

New anthology of 20-year Lenoir-Rhyne visiting writers

Read about it.

Jan. 15, 2 p.m.-- Liar's Bench on WMYA

See station listings. Read on Gary Carden's blog.

How dialect usage works

Zoom in on Chap. 8 of Lady Chatterley's Lover

Scott Nicholson, local supernatural thriller writer

Dec. 21 at City Lights.  Read about his books.

Foundation of Davidson sawmill

Read about the 1790s Bee Tree community-builder.  Help recreate world of water-powered gristmills.

"Historical book structures"

Exhibition of artists' books based on study of history at BookWorks, Jan. 17.

Free Speech alert

Norton is publishing Ali H. Soufan's CIA memoir with CIA cuts.  Read more.

John Lane has two new books

Read review.

Urban News, voice of multicultural community

Read about publisher Johnnie Grant; her newspaper, Urban News; and experience of urban renewal in Asheville.

Keith Flynn & Holy Men on CD

Sample.

New books about Transylvania

Read about Peggy Hansen's Transylvania Memories; Betty Jamerson Reed's School Segregation in WNC; and more.  See Dawn MCall's work.

J.C. Walkup talks about Fresh,

WNC literary magazine  See video.

Scott Douglass  about Home for Wayward Clocks.  Video.

St. Genevieve's old Auditorium building is threatened

Read history.  See video.

Vote for Jennifer Pharr Davis, AT record-setter

She hiked the Appalachian Trail in 46 days by hiking 16 hours a day.  Now she's up for Natioinal Geographic's "Adventurer of the  Year" award.  Vote for her.  Her website.

Where do you dream?

is the theme of the new Fall 2011 issue of the online journal, The Great Smokies Review.

WNC Union Soldiers? Only at end

Read Terrell Garren's exchange with descendent.

Member feature: Gary Carden

Sylva author and storyteller has a lot going on.  Read about The Liar's Bench, a stotytelling show.  See Carden's blog; his member page.

See video of mountain panel

Charles Frazier, Wayne Caldwell, John Lane, George Ellison, Keith Flynn at Every Breath Sings Mountainslaunch.

Morgan expands west with great book

Robert Morgan's new book reveals Westward Expansion through 10 figures.  Read review.  Morgan's at Malaprop's and at Fountainhead Bookstore Oct. 29.

Connie Willis wins Hugo for best sci-fi novel
Willis won for Blackout/ All Clear.  See list of winners and finalists..

New York Times reveals Amazon rave review scam
See article.